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What are the ethical concerns involved in gene editing technology. Discuss.(150 Words)

Mentor’s Comment. Define Gene Editing Technolgy. Giving its pros and cons list ethical concerns related to gene editing technology. Conclude with focusing on a middle path ensuring judicious use of such potential technology Answer: Gene Editing is a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of… Continue reading What are the ethical concerns involved in gene editing technology. Discuss.(150 Words)

A person cannot do right in civil service whilst attempting to do wrong in personal life. In context of this statement, examine the relationship between personal and professional ethics. Do civil servants have to be ethical in personal life in order to be professionally ethical? Illustrate. (150 words)

Mentors Comment: Question giving a normative statement about the important role of integrity and character for civil administrator in order to job responsibly. Then asking to examine the ethical relationship between two domains of life private and professional, in order to explain its importance in life of civil servants with examples. Accordingly answer can be… Continue reading A person cannot do right in civil service whilst attempting to do wrong in personal life. In context of this statement, examine the relationship between personal and professional ethics. Do civil servants have to be ethical in personal life in order to be professionally ethical? Illustrate. (150 words)

In a world riven by geopolitical contestations, SCO membership provides India a vital counter to some of the other groupings it is a part of, balancing out its stated policy of pursuing “multi-alignments”. Comment. (250 Words)

Mentor’s Comment: The intro must discuss in detail the organizational structure, aims and mandate of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and mention India’s involvement in it. Discuss the pros and cons of progress as being a member of SCO. e.g – The 21st-century power dynamics are different with the rise of China, a continental power that is… Continue reading In a world riven by geopolitical contestations, SCO membership provides India a vital counter to some of the other groupings it is a part of, balancing out its stated policy of pursuing “multi-alignments”. Comment. (250 Words)

There is no place in the world more important for the global supply of oil than the Strait of Hormuz. What is the political and economic significance of Strait of Hormuz? (250 words)

Mentor’s Comment: The answer must discuss the political and economic significance of Strait of Hormuz. In a few introductory lines discuss the situation. In brief discuss the following aspects – Why is the strait important? What are the associated political tensions around it? Narrate the major incidents. Discuss the significance Conclude with what more needs… Continue reading There is no place in the world more important for the global supply of oil than the Strait of Hormuz. What is the political and economic significance of Strait of Hormuz? (250 words)

Lakshadweep has been facing a drastic decline in coral cover in recent years. Discuss various environmental and anthropogenic factors behind this phenomenon. How can El Nino be disastrous for the world’s coral reefs? Illustrate. (250 Words))

Mentor’s Comment: Answer can be framed simply in three parts. First, brief introduction of the phenomenon. Second, explanation of underlying factors of coral bleaching. Third, description of effects of El Nino on corals, with examples. Answer: Lakshadweep is the major area of coral formation in India. Unfortunately it is facing decline in coral reefs as… Continue reading Lakshadweep has been facing a drastic decline in coral cover in recent years. Discuss various environmental and anthropogenic factors behind this phenomenon. How can El Nino be disastrous for the world’s coral reefs? Illustrate. (250 Words))

Transport linkages and government policies are the two most important factors influencing the establishment of Footloose industries. What are the other factors which influence the location of these industries? Discuss in the context of India. (150 W)

Approach: Briefly discuss about footloose industries and their characteristics. Elaborate the two given factors transport linkages and government policies. Consider other important factors – human resource, capital and infrastructure etc. Substantiate your answer with some examples such as ITeS in Bangalore, Hyderabad.

There seems to be a fundamental contradiction between effectiveness and accountability. Comment. Why is accountability a necessary evil for good governance? Discuss. (150 words)

Mentor’s Comment: In  first  part  of  the  answer  discuss,  why  this  debate  exists  in  administration  with  relevant  examples. Second part of the answer should focus on why accountability is a necessary condition to ensure good governance and Final part of the answer should focus on the fact that accountability and effectiveness can exist together and… Continue reading There seems to be a fundamental contradiction between effectiveness and accountability. Comment. Why is accountability a necessary evil for good governance? Discuss. (150 words)

Financing clean energy infrastructure, sustainable transport, energy efficiency and waste management are among the key imperatives today. Critically analyse the efforts taken by India in this regard? (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Financing clean energy infrastructure, sustainable transport, energy efficiency and waste management are among the key imperatives today. Introduction should talk about such in general. In the main body, talk mention that huge investments are required to combat the risks of climate change. Such initiatives require large scale upfront investments and years until cost… Continue reading Financing clean energy infrastructure, sustainable transport, energy efficiency and waste management are among the key imperatives today. Critically analyse the efforts taken by India in this regard? (200 W)

In view of the fact that India doesn’t provide option of proxy voting to its domestic people who migrate to other states, is it fair to give such an option to NRIs who live far off. Give arguments in support of your answer. (250 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Recently the Lok Sabha has allowed non-resident Indians to use proxies to cast votes on their behalfs in Indian Elections. The introduction should explain about the meaning and features of Proxy voting which is currently allowed to only security personnel. Further, talk about the proxy voting facility for Overseas Electors which will be… Continue reading In view of the fact that India doesn’t provide option of proxy voting to its domestic people who migrate to other states, is it fair to give such an option to NRIs who live far off. Give arguments in support of your answer. (250 W)

Examine why Maratha state could not become an alternative to Mughal Empire. Do you think that its own structure has played crucial role in it? (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Maratha state had its own place during British period and had proved one of the tough for Britishers to defeat. However, it has its own weaknesses which prevented it to become the dominant power in India. Here the introduction should compare the structural weaknesses of the Marathas with the comparative strength of the… Continue reading Examine why Maratha state could not become an alternative to Mughal Empire. Do you think that its own structure has played crucial role in it? (150 W)

Most youngsters in India seem to be motivated more by the perks and privileges associated with government jobs than the prospects of public service. What would you do to change the scenario? (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Comment: Mention the reasons for youths’ attraction towards more perks and privileges rather than service. Bring example if any. Further, mention the trends and way to influence youngsters. Like use of social media, perks as lucrative and should be avoided, honesty, accountability and responsibility in public service, mention role model (if any). Also the… Continue reading Most youngsters in India seem to be motivated more by the perks and privileges associated with government jobs than the prospects of public service. What would you do to change the scenario? (150 W/ 10 M)

What is a Bad Bank, can it help create Good Banks in India? Critically analyse. (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentors Comment: The idea of forming a ‘bad bank’ in India was initially floated in 2017 when the Economic Survey suggested setting up a Public Sector Asset Rehabilitation Agency (PARA). Along with it, RBI floated the idea of PAMCs and NAMCs on the lines of Bad Banks. Therefore, it’s an important topic, given the challenge… Continue reading What is a Bad Bank, can it help create Good Banks in India? Critically analyse. (150 W/ 10 M)

Judicial Primacy in appointment of judges is a part of basic structure, however both proposed NJAC and the current collegium system violates that? Comment. (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Comment: Primacy has been decided in 2nd judges case. The ideal of Judicial Primacy as embodied in Art – 124 and 217 of the constitution has been lauded as a guarantor of Judicial independence in appointments. Referring that explain the meaning of Primacy in Indian judicial appointments. Further, compare how the Collegiums system (provides… Continue reading Judicial Primacy in appointment of judges is a part of basic structure, however both proposed NJAC and the current collegium system violates that? Comment. (150 W/ 10 M)

What do you mean by seismic waves? How seismic waves have helped in understanding the structure of the earth? (250 W/ 15 M)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should explain about Seismic waves as it has been the basis of most hypotheses developed on earth’s structure. How it gets generated. Further, mention the types and their respective features concerning the earth’s structure. How seismic waves are measured. Next, mention how these waves helped in understanding the features of earth. As… Continue reading What do you mean by seismic waves? How seismic waves have helped in understanding the structure of the earth? (250 W/ 15 M)

It is often said that home is the first school and parents are the first teachers. Explain the role of family in inculcating moral values. Analyze how the changing nature of family has affected this role in the context of India. (150 words)

Mentor’s Comment: Begin by briefly explaining what moral values are. Then illustrate how the family influences development of  values  in  children  with  more  emphasis  on  the  role  of  parents.  Further,  the  development  of narrow/bad  values  may  also  be  included  in  the  answer  to  bring  a  contrast.  Then briefly explain the changing nature of family in… Continue reading It is often said that home is the first school and parents are the first teachers. Explain the role of family in inculcating moral values. Analyze how the changing nature of family has affected this role in the context of India. (150 words)

The draft e-commerce policy has too many echoes from the license-raj era? Comment. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should talk about the digital economy and growing importance of E-Commerce sector in India with a fast pace reaching $ 25 billion and could grow to & 200 billion by 2020. Such growing tendency must require effective regulation hence, a draft e-commerce polity has been formed to regulate this sector. Further, in… Continue reading The draft e-commerce policy has too many echoes from the license-raj era? Comment. (150 W)

The maritime security domain requires collective multilateral and regional cooperation to combat non-traditional threats. Discuss in the context of threats in the Western Indian ocean and the recent amendments in the Djibouti Code of Conduct. (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Maritime security is a big concern for a sovereign country like India. Here the introduction should mention about the concept of maritime security and threats in the Western Indian Ocean such as piracy, illegal migration, illegal fishing, smuggling of arms, narcotics and the big concern is terrorism and ethnic conflict in Syria, Yemen… Continue reading The maritime security domain requires collective multilateral and regional cooperation to combat non-traditional threats. Discuss in the context of threats in the Western Indian ocean and the recent amendments in the Djibouti Code of Conduct. (200 W)

Indian National Congress was running a parallel foreign policy with the colonial government, especially in the post-World War-I era. Critically analyze the statement with the role of Mahatma Gandhi in formulating it. (250 W)

Mentor’s Comment: It is the foreign policy of the INC which paved the way of Independent India. The introduction should explain about the foreign policy of INC and its principles such as: Opposition to imperialism and colonial rule, Active sympathy and support to the people fighting for independence, Opposition to militarism war and devotion to… Continue reading Indian National Congress was running a parallel foreign policy with the colonial government, especially in the post-World War-I era. Critically analyze the statement with the role of Mahatma Gandhi in formulating it. (250 W)

What do you mean by the views “Right Livelihood” as prescribed by Lord Buddha. Do you think it is relevant even today? Why, explain with examples? (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: The introduction should explain about the context of Right Livelihood which is earning bread and butter only through legitimate means and without compromising righteousness in profession. However, Buddha has recommended avoiding the following professions such as Dealing in weapons, slave trade and slaughtering of animals and profession connected with and selling intoxicants. Moreover,… Continue reading What do you mean by the views “Right Livelihood” as prescribed by Lord Buddha. Do you think it is relevant even today? Why, explain with examples? (150 W)

Do you think that the Currency Exchange Rate is a suitable measure for comparing countries’ relative economic performance? What are the possible reasons for widening trade deficit in India despite improvement in macro-economic fundamentals? (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: The question has two parts. In first part we need to establish the relationship between exchange rate and economic performance of countries and take a stand whether it is a suitable measure or not. Though, there is no direct linkage between them, but over a short term exchange rate can mislead economic situation.… Continue reading Do you think that the Currency Exchange Rate is a suitable measure for comparing countries’ relative economic performance? What are the possible reasons for widening trade deficit in India despite improvement in macro-economic fundamentals? (200 W)

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